Anguilla facts and resources

Location: The most northern member of the Leeward Island chain in the Eastern Caribbean and less than ten miles north of St. Martin and 200 miles east of Puerto Rico.

Terrain: The coral and limestone island is low-lying with rock, sparse scrub oak and salt ponds, creating the ideal conditions for perfect weather and breathtaking beaches.

Beaches: 33 white coral sand beaches — all public!

Weather/Rainfall: Average temperature of 80 F. The island receives 35 inches of annual rainfall, mostly from September to November. But even then it’s usually never all day. Hurricane season is August to October. Hurricanes are rare, but to ensure your peace of mind Villa Alegria offers a generous hurricane policy.

Government: British Overseas Territory. The capital is known as The Valley.

Size: 35 square miles, 16 miles long and 3 miles wide at widest point.

Population: 14,886

Language: English

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar, but the US Dollar is widely accepted.

Tourism Seasons: Anytime is a good time to visit Anguilla.

Holiday “Festive” Season: Mid-December to mid-January. The island is more crowded and rates for accommodations and activities may increase. These weeks book quickly, so book several months or even a year in advance. Best time for celebrity-spotting!

High Season: February through the end of March and then again in early December. Less crowded than the holidays, this is a good opportunity to escape the winter.

Middle “Shoulder” Season: After the holiday season from mid-January to February, throughout the whole month of April and again during the week of Thanksgiving. It is an ideal time to visit the island in terms of weather on the island (and cold weather back home) without the holiday or high season crowds.

Low Season: The low season is from May to just before Thanksgiving and offers less crowds and more affordable rates. This is a good time to hold a destination wedding. While Villa Alegria is open all year round, some restaurants and businesses go on hiatus during late September and October. .

Entrance Requirements: A valid passport (with at least six months before expiration) and return and onward tickets are required for all visitors to Anguilla. Green card holders must have a valid green card and valid passport from their country of origin. Depending on your country you may require a visa. Please refer to The Anguilla Tourist Board for more information.

Crime/Safety: Use common sense of course, but you can move freely and safely about the island.

Government Departments & Services:

Police/Fire/Ambulance/Emergency: 911

Police Headquarters (Non Emergency): 264-497-2333

Department of Immigration: 264-497-3444

Department of Customs: 264-497-2513

General Post Office: 264-497-2528

Medical Services: Princess Alexandria Hospital in The Valley offers routine medical and surgical care (including dialysis), as well as a 24-hour emergency room. For major medical emergencies, patients will be evacuated via air ambulance to St. Maarten, Puerto Rico or Miami, Florida. There are also several medical clinics around the island. Phone: 264-497-2551.

Airport: Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA). Phone: 264-497-2384. But you may want to fly into St. Maarten (SXM). Getting to Anguilla>

Port/Ferry: Blowing Point Ferry Terminal. Phone: 264-497-6070.

Marriage License Requirements: Couples marry under the authority of a special license that takes approximately two working days to process (fewer days than what many other countries require). Both parties must present proof of citizenship of their resident country — your passport or an original birth certificate accompanied by photo identification such as a driver’s license. Two witnesses are required. If applicable, a divorce or death certificate must be present. Getting married on Anguilla>

Electricity: 110 Volts AC, same as the US.

Driving: Anguilla has one main road that connects one end of the island to the other, with many smaller roads feeding into it. It takes about 30 minutes to drive its length. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road and the speed limit is 30 mph. To drive, you must be 18 years old, show a valid driver’s license from your resident country and obtain an Anguilla driver’s license. One can be procured for $20 US from your rental car company. Our concierge is happy to assist you with car rentals. You’ll quickly notice that most businesses and accommodations don’t have detailed street addresses, often just listing their location as “The Valley” or referring to the bay or road on which they are located. Getting around Anguilla>

Internet & Phones: Our villas have wireless Internet access and calls are free via the Internet. The villas also have a land line phone for local calls and we can arrange local cell phones for your use while on the island. Most everyone carries a cell phone and the most common area code is 264.

Anguilla’s beauty and magic run deep

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History and heritage

Originally inhabited by Amerindian tribes from South America and believed to have been named Anguilla, the Amerindian word for eel, by Christopher Columbus for its creature-like shape, the island was colonized in 1650 by English settlers. In 1666, the French briefly ruled, before returning Anguilla to the British.

In the 1700 and 1800s Anguilla, like most of the Caribbean, exported sugar, rum and mahogany, but poor soil and lack of rain made farming difficult, prevented Anguilla from becoming a major plantation community and caused residents to turn to salt mining and fishing. Men also sought jobs on other islands, which sparked the now national past-time and long tradition of racing sailboats on their return to Anguilla.

By 1958, Anguilla was part of the Federation of the West Indies. After the Federation’s collapse, Anguilla and two other islands were combined into a single associated statehood until Anguilla revolted and gained its independence. In 1980 Anguilla became a separate British Overseas/Dependent Territory.